by Paula Hunsacker

Each rescue is different in how they help cats. Our rescue focusses on cats in kill shelters. They are a priority for us over cats from private parties because kill shelter cats’ lives are in jeopardy. Cats in kill shelters have only from three to five days before they are euthanized.

In even more jeopardy are the cats who are labeled “feral.” Those cats are virtually unadoptable, not because they are unable to live in a home, but often because they have been mislabeled. Often, they are mislabeled because they are simply overwhelmed by the shelter environment. Most have only lived in one home. Now they are surrounded by slamming kennel doors, strange humans, and the smell of death. Of course they are afraid to interact with strange people.

We just pulled several cats from Orange County shelter in Los Angeles who are labeled feral! After getting them to our rescue, we placed them in a big holding walk-in kennel where we are able to go inside to spend time with them and help them to learn to trust us. That is the key to working with feral cats. Gaining their trust. Out of the cats we pull from shelters said to be feral, 98.9% are found not to be and become adoptable.

They are the most loving cats we have worked with once we build their trust. They are mislabeled by people who mistakenly judge them as feral when they are simply overwhelmed by their environment. All they need is to be loved. Give them respect, and in return they will love you back. Feral cats have the biggest hearts!

Facebook: facebook.com/feralpawsrescue
EMAIL: fprg.org@gmail[dot]com
Phone: 559-412-7226

Check out more animal rescue stories in our Pet Perspective section & watch for more stories from Feral Paws every month, and we would love to have you join our KRL Pets Facebook group. Advertise in KRL and 10% of your advertising fees can go to Feral Paws.